Message of solidarity from Pen International

Dear President and Members of the Peace Committee of International PEN,

Dear President and Members of the PEN Turkey Centre and Kurdish PEN Centre,

As many of you know, the Turkish government is continuing their harsh repression of the civil rights and Freedom of Expression of their Kurdish citizens.

On the 3rdof October 2016, the Kurdish Channel Med-Nuçe was shut down by their satellite provider, on Turkey’s request. This channel reported news hourly and had 26 genuine programs focusing not only on the Kurdish issues but also on women, labor conditions, environment, and local and international political discussions. It was their window on the world.

As part of the continuing repressive and arbitrary measures in Turkey, the Turkish government has also recently shut down over twenty Kurdish TV channels and radio stations, many broadcasting in unique and endangered Kurdish dialects, and have forcibly sealed the doors and captured the goods of these channels.

Since the declaration of Emergency Rule following the coup attempt in July, over 200 journalists in Turkey have been targeted for detention, more than 100 journalists arrested, dozens of media organizations shut down and because of this, over 2,308 journalists have lost their jobs.

We must stand together andcollectively raise our voices in solidarity with our Kurdish and Turkish colleagues and comrades under threat in Turkey, to decry these events, and ask for negotiations and consistent dialogue to remedy these repressive acts and maintain peace.

In light of all the many, ongoing, attacks on Kurdish lives, liberties, and culture, and as we at the San Miguel PEN Centre experience these attacks on the lives, liberties and civil rights of our Kurdish and Turkish comrades as attacks on the very fabric of Human Rights for us all, we urge that the oppression of journalists and media be STOPPED and peace and civil rights be instated for the Kurdish and Turkish people and we strongly stand in support for and solidarity with all efforts to make this so.

Furthermore, we declare ourselves to stand side by side our Kurdish and Turkish comrades, members of the Kurdish PEN Centre, PEN Turkey Centre, PEN International and all peoples that believe and work for Freedom of Expression and Human Rights, in support of the journalists and their right to Freedom of Expression in Turkey.

EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR AFRIN

Life in Afrin

Weekly News Briefing

Jeremy Corbyn issues statement of support for the National Demo

Message from Jeremy Corbyn to Kurdish national demonstration in London:
“I’m sorry not to be able to be with you today, but I send a message of solidarity with today’s demonstration, and with the Kurdish people, under sustained attack across the Middle East.
The conflict in Syria has been the trigger for an onslaught against the Kurdish people, who are defending their autonomy and their rights.
We are watching closely the alarming events that have been unfolding in Turkey in recent weeks, including the killing of civilians and destruction of Kurdish homes.
Any negotiated settlement of the Syrian conflict must include peace and justice for the Kurds, including in Turkey. And the Turkish government needs as a matter of urgency to restart the peace process with the Kurds and respect the rights of all its people.
We call for an end to repression of the Kurds and justice for the Kurdish people throughout the Middle East.”

Destruction and Repression in North Kurdistan

Freedom for Ocalan!

On the 19th anniversary of his kidnap and imprisonment by Turkey, we renew our call for Abdullah Ocalan to be freed as part of a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question.